Visions of Poetry

Wednesday October 26 2016  PEANUT BUTTER AND FLAX SEED

What do peanut butter and flax seed have in common?  Both are what I needed to buy today and they cost me over sixty dollars!  When I walked out of Mischler’s Country Store today I had over sixty dollars worth of groceries from the Amish market and all I needed was peanut butter and flax seed.  I go there only a couple of times a year and though I try to keep it at a minimum I always find something else I need in addition to what is on my list.   And that is what happened today.  From my house the market is about 80 minutes from home.  Today I attended a funeral held at our church and when it was time to go home I realized I was already 20-25 minutes closer to the Mischler’s Country Store.  Since I had an afternoon available I decided to drive the extra distance and pick up what I needed.

You may wonder why it is so important for me to drive so far away to pick up peanut butter and ground flax seed.  Sometimes I wonder that too, but the primary culprit is the honey roasted peanut butter I purchase there.  It is freshly ground and has no preservatives.  I purchase several containers because I have little “munchkins” (properly known as grandsons) who absolutely adore the peanut butter I buy from the Amish market.  And since they both have birthdays around this time I try to stock up on it so I can give the peanut butter as gifts to them.  The market has very reasonable pricing and has a large variety of bulk items I can purchase.  Today I bought beans (black and kidney), 2 red peppers, 5 containers of the freshly ground honey roasted peanut butter, a bag of roasted unsalted peanuts, sweet potatoes, 3 bags of ground flax seed equaling six pounds total, mushroom popcorn, raw pumpkin seeds, a jar of honey, and a couple of other little things of which I can no longer recall.  It’s rather amazing how quickly food prices add up these days, especially when one eats like I do.

But the best part about driving over to the Amish market is the beautiful back road drive.  Today when I entered the Amish community it was as if a hush fell over the land.  The trees were even more beautiful and in peak color.  The rain was coming down and the wetness intensified the fall colors.  When I arrived at the store I thought the store was not open when I looked in from the outside.  No lights were turned on.  Then I remembered that the only light available in the store comes from ceiling skylights.  The store is closed when the sun sets.  And even though I was there at 3:30 p.m., due to the overcast and rain, it was almost dark inside the building.  There is no electricity, no refrigerated items, and no frozen items.  A hand manipulated adding machine manually totals the bill.  Old fashioned cash registers make a loud clanging noise when the cash drawer pops open.  Instead of seeing women shrouded in burkas like I see at the grocery stores where I usually shop, most of the Amish women have on long dark dresses and their heads donned with little white bonnets.  Rather refreshing I’d say.

What dawned on me this afternoon was that I especially enjoyed shopping there because I love the quiet hush that permeates the building; no music; no electrical sound.  When walking through the store there were no other sounds at all except those made by other people.  An eerie silence enveloped me.  There was a peaceful stillness; no freezer hum, no refrigeration sound and no high pitched sound from lights on the ceiling.  The absence of man-made noise was quite refreshing.

When I was in the Amish country this past weekend (a different part of the state from where I went today) my friend and I came across a group of about 20 to 25 little Amish children walking in mass alongside a country road.  The boys were dressed like little men wearing long sleeved shirts made from blue course fabric which was partially covered by their black homemade bib overalls (which all appeared too short in length).  The little girls (from about 5 years old to 10 years old) were dressed just like their mothers, black dresses with white aprons covering the front of their dresses.  It was quite cold outside and every single child was walking barefoot on the hard pavement or along the graveled road’s edge, skirting the horse droppings.  I don’t remember seeing any of the children with jackets on.  It was so interesting to see them in such a large group, all barefoot, swinging their metal lunch boxes as they walked home from school.  It was more than likely two or possibly three family’s worth of children.  I was dressed warmly, had shoes and socks on, along with the heater running, and I was still chilled.  Those little Amish kids must be quite resilient.

 

LIKE GOING BACK IN TIME

Kathleen Martens

October 26, 2016

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

Little ones

Dressed in white and black,

Replicas of their parents

Walking in a pack.

 

Swinging buckets back and forth

Walking homeward bound.

Bare feet pitter patter

On both asphalt and ground.

 

Little men and little women

In the process of growing older,

No matter how old they grow

Seldom do they seem bolder.

 

But it seems that peace

Radiates from within.

All is quiet in their world,

No electricity noise to lend.

 

It may be extra quiet

But it probably gets quite old

Running to the outhouse

When it is quite cold.

 

A hard life to live,

Like going back in time.

And though it looks serene,

I’m glad that life’s not mine.

 

Oh Lord, thank You so much for the modern conveniences we have available to us.

Thank You Lord that it is not necessary for me to live as the Amish do in order to get to heaven.

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU.

Tuesday October 25 2016  NOW I REMEMBER

 

NOW I REMEMBER

Kathleen Martens

October 25, 2016

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

 

I’m trying to remember

Why I retired.

I thought it was to rest

And get re-fired.

 

It seems my hours

Are just too full,

So many jobs

At me pull.

 

And here I sit

Glued to the screen,

Working on photography,

Ready to scream!

 

My eyes are sleepy

From my days of rest

Playing cards too late

At my own behest.

 

And my return home

To face all the faces

That look back from my screen

From all over the places.

 

Sorting and pondering

Which photo to choose,

So the story-line

I will not lose.

 

And then I must

Design a book

Of an incredible day

So memories will look…

 

…Back at the viewer,

With smiles captured,

As a treasured memory

For the ever after.

 

There are other things

I should be doing

Rather than sitting here,

Hundred of faces viewing.

 

But I made the commitment

And will see it through.

Then sell my equipment

So no more I can do.

 

Then remember once more

Why I actually retired

Was so I could fulfill

Some of my desires.

 

No more pictures,

No more books,

At no more faces

Will I need to look.

 

Except for those

For my family I’ll do

Because over the years

My own not in queue.

 

But NOW I REMEMBER

Why I retired!

I’ve so much to do

Before I expire!

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU!

Monday October 24 2016   A WEEKEND RETREAT

Although the date above is Monday, it is truly only Sunday night as I write these words.  It has been a memorable weekend and a wonderful time of relaxation.  My friend and I have been at a country cottage for the past three days and tomorrow (Monday) we head home.  We plan for a busy last day and I may arrive home too late to have time to write a blog.  So, on this last evening, my friend sits in front of the fire in the living room reading the book she bought at “Crazy Frank’s Flea Market” in Readstown Wisconsin.  Crazy Frank’s Flea Market will always be remembered by me for its restroom! 

When you travel in Wisconsin most of the places on the map are only accessible from back roads.  And when you travel in Wisconsin towns can be quite far apart, thus, so are the toilets.  We stopped at a little gas station/grocery store so I could run in and use the restroom.  A large bold note on the door informed me that unless I was a paying customer I was not permitted to use the restroom.  The note told me to use the public restrooms; however it didn’t tell me where the PUBLIC RESTROOMS were located. (Just for information sake’s:  I would always rather use a PRIVATE RESTROOM).  I asked the store clerk where the public restrooms were and she pointed across the street.

We drove across the street, which was about a block away, and she was right.  There were three public restrooms situated by a ball park.  THREE PADLOCKED PUBLIC RESTROOMS!  So off we drove, mission unaccomplished!  Then we saw Crazy Frank’s Flea Market forlornly located out in the middle of nowhere in a huge building with a parking lot on the side of the building.  All of a sudden I had the desire to go browsing at the Flea Market.  So we both got out and meandered around the building (me circling the outside parameter where restrooms are usually located) as I quickly browsed the hundreds of displays on the way to finding that little public/private room.  Whew!  I made it.  NO NOTE ON THE DOOR!  That was the nicest public restroom I’ve ever been in.  I think the door even locked.  To be truthful, I didn’t really care if it locked or not!  I didn’t even care if it had toilet paper.  Crazy Frank’s was awesome.  I even bought something; a homemade jar of Amish hot pepper butter!  I haven’t tasted it yet, but I’m sure it will bring back a fond memory!

This four day trip turned out to be a bit more expensive that I expected.  I brought all our food already prepared so we didn’t have to go out to eat so that wasn’t the problem.  However, on the way to our destination, La Farge, Wisconsin, we stopped at THE SHOEBOX (shoe store) in Black Earth, Wisconsin.  And I purchased two pair of shoes.  I blame that on my friend Ginger.  When I told her we were approaching The Shoebox she asked if we could stop so she could buy a pair of much needed shoes.  The SHOEBOX is quite a ways from our house and it is where Dave and I always purchase our shoes because we get such good deals.  So, I killed two birds with one stone.  I saved on gas by taking advantage of buying shoes while I was on my way to someplace beyond and, I wouldn’t need to take the time to come back another day.

And now the weekend is almost over.  And by the time this is published it will be over.  I will have lived the moments, and they will be part of my past.  Even as I sit here this Sunday evening I ponder at how the time could have passed so quickly.  It really does seem as if my life is but a blade of grass, here today and gone tomorrow as the Bible says. 

I taught Ginger how to play two different kinds of card games, fed her the good food I brought, stayed up late each night, slept in each morning, went sightseeing, stopped at all kinds of different shops, had a cup of salted caramel ice cream (a premeditated occurrence),  fed the pig our leftover food scraps, fed the chickens our leftover eggshells, swung on the porch screen, looked at the amazing night sky filled with galaxies, had a tour through a three story log cabin built in the 1800’s, entertained a guest for dinner, petted the sheep, stroked a horse, loved and petted every kitty cat I came across, dispensed “wisdom” to anyone who would listen (at least my opinion of things), ate popcorn at a beautiful antique shop, TREASURES ON MAIN, in Westby, Wisconsin, and kept the fire burning in the fireplace.  I also wrote poetry each day which I will share with you in Monday’s blog.  We have no Wi-Fi at Trillium (the Airbnb in which we are staying).  While we were out on Saturday my cell phone hooked into a guest WiFi and received a message that an aunt in California had died.  It was a busy weekend and a memorable weekend.   

One more day of leisure, (if you count repacking to return home)!  The good part is I never mind what I am doing; I just enjoy doing.  And right now, I am going to be “doing” by getting ready for bed.

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU.

And now it is truly Monday, the day the above blog will be published.  We had another wonderful day and arrived home by 8:00 p.m.  I am unpacked, leftover food is put away, a load of laundry is in the washer, I’ve done the first proof-reading of what I wrote yesterday and it is only 9:41 p.m. 

I will add the poems I wrote this weekend.  Each poem is about something that took place while I was at Trillium Farm. Though Trillium is not an Amish farm it is  located deep in the heart of the Amish Countryside.  It is quiet, serene, wild, rustic and rugged.  Dave and I stayed there for a week or so each autumn for about 20 years.  I discovered that it is truly the one place where I can go and experience complete relaxation.  It is one of my favorite places to be. 

 

LIGHTING A FIRE IN THE FIREPLACE

Kathleen Martens

October 21, 2016

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

Unhurried flames in laze refrain

Stubborn log all space clogs.

Burning fire has no desire

Meager aim causes disdain.

 

Paper burns at rapid pace

But the blaze loses face

Though nurtured so steady and slow,

The embers will not glow.

 

On cat’s feet a burst of heat

Flames burst with scorching thirst

Casting light on its flight,

A myriad sight burns the night.

 

It comes to life with setting sun

In vigor sound pops un-shunned.

Roaring tongues as if with lungs 

Upward plunge through stick rungs.

 

Warmth surges with licking urges

Heat returns as it’s earned.

All is well, cold is quelled

Because a tree was burned for me.

 

 

THE LITTLE LOG CABIN

Kathleen Martens

October 22 2016

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

Nestled by the road

A little cabin stands.

Many years

It has looked over the land

 

In disrepair

Covered by trees

Barely discernible

For eyes to see.

 

So many stories

Tucked between her walls,

And now her structure

To disrepair falls.

 

All alone,

Un-needed, unloved

Her wounds cut deep

In corners doved.

 

Empty windows

And crooked doors

Decaying logs

And sagging floors.

 

Until one day

One man came along

Rescued the cabin

For a song.

 

And into the shanty

He poured his heart

To give his new cabin

A brand new start.

 

Day by day

And piece by piece

He is restoring her value

So it will not cease.

 

He cleared the land

Provided fresh air

All around the structure

Because he cared.

 

And ever so slowly

He is giving new birth

To the lonely cabin

To reveal her worth,

 

Built a new foundation

And replaced logs

So her structure

No longer bogged.

 

New windows installed

Floor no longer sags,

But to finish

Time seems to lag.

 

Persevering one day at a time

Love is poured out

To make the little cabin

Both beautiful and stout.

 

She proudly stands

With a new shiny roof

And with her green donning

Seems quite aloof.

 

Slowly but surely

Two hearts become one

And again in the future

It will protect a son.

 

Slowly repaired

Standing grand by the road

Someday she will be

An intimate abode.

 

 

IN A CATHEDRAL ALL MY OWN

Kathleen Martens

October 23 2016

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

Quiet reverie in country silence,

Contemplation of God’s gifts.

Meditative thoughts in blissful calm

Seems to right all the wrongs.

 

Tranquility of God’s loving heart,

Serenity of mind during interlude

Creates a passion of gratefulness

To fill the hours with quietude.

 

Simple pleasures still exist

In the heart free to all,

While in the presence of God

As on his name I reverently call.

 

Sunday Sabbath in countryside

In a cathedral all my own.

Amidst the grandeur of God’s creation

My spirit worships at His throne.

 

 

NO PLACE LIKE HOME

Kathleen Martens

October 24, 2016

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

Isn’t it nice

There’s no place like home?

Yet so much fun

There are other places to roam.

 

A time of relaxation,

Rest and reprieve,

No work to be done

Raking garden’s leaves.

 

No toilets to clean

Or beds to change,

Just time to rest,

No appointments to arrange.

 

But just one problem,

Time speeds by too fast.

The days seem to fly

And they just don’t last.

 

And now I am home

To all my mess,

And the busy schedule

Of time’s duress.

 

But I’m already planning

Next time away,

Perhaps a year

I should like to stay!

 

But then I remember,

There’s no place like home,

Regardless how fun

It may be to roam.

 

Thank You God for safe travels.

Thank You too for all the wonderful people I met these past four days.

Thank You Lord for all the amazing experiences I enjoyed.

Thank You for the grandeur of the beautiful countryside.

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS EACH OF YOU!

Friday October 21 2016  A WASH AND WEAR FACE

A photographer friend emailed a recent picture she took of me when we photographed a wedding together.  We test our lights by photographing each other.  And it is always fun to do a little posing or goofing off.  I have quite a collection of “light test” photos dating back many years.  The photos definitely show the passage of time.  If I had some of them available on this computer I would include them in the blog but they are not available.

The photo my friend emailed to me today was to give me an example of what her new computer program can do.  Her new program has the ability to add makeup to a person and change their appearance in various ways.  I’ll try to include them at the conclusion of this blog.  I’ll share them with you at the end if I can figure out my new update on my iPhone.  When I showed them to Dave I commented that I think I liked the original print the best.  He looked at it and told me that he did also.  He scrutinized my face and then made the comment that I have “a wash and wear face”.  Hmmm…I didn’t quite know how to take that at first.  Then he back peddled a bit (or maybe not) and said that what he meant was, I don’t need make up and my face looks good just as it is.  Whew!  He saved himself by his quick thinking!

After I thought about his comment for a minute I realized that yes, I do have a wash and wear face.  What makes it so is because I choose to make it so.  I choose to not take the time to doll myself up with makeup.  I can’t wear any eye makeup near my eyes (and where else would you wear eye makeup except around the eyes) due to the MRSA infection I had in my eye sockets a few years ago.  I had surgery in my forehead which was accessed through my eye openings.  I almost had to have my left eye removed; another long story which I think I’ve already shared.

I also choose not to use my precious time smearing my face with layers of anything except a moisturizing cream.  So, I wash my face, put on cream and I am ready to go!  I have too many other things I must do, so I choose to not do things that are unnecessary (at least in my book).  Oh yes, I almost forgot, I do comb my hair once a day;  and that is getting easier and easier due to how little hair I have left.  Someday my head might even be “wash and wear”. 

I thought it would be fun to allow you to see the “dazzling” me with makeup and less wrinkles.  It’s a onetime event so enjoy the attraction.  I’m glad that I have decided to be cremated (after my death of course) so I won’t have to wear makeup until I decompose!  Nothing like saying it like it is.

Chances are that there will be no publications of poetry this weekend as I will not have Wi-Fi access.  And for some reason, Dave won’t write any poems for me.  I’ll write while I’m gone and will bring you up to date on Monday night.  If you need to contact me, call our home number (family members) and Dave will know how to contact me.  I’m leaving my hubby behind…again!  I promise I won’t be gone four months this time.

 

A LITTLE TIME OF R AND R

Kathleen Martens

October 21 2016

 

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

On a journey to have some fun

A little time of R and R.

But so much prep to leave town

Especially packing of my car.

 

Into a world of quiet reprieve,

Horses clip clopping along the road

Pulling buggies that are always black,

And large families are their load.

 

Amish countryside still and serene,

A quaint cottage sits on a hill

Spent gardens surround the site

And starry skies the heavens spill.

 

The smell of smoke warming homes

On tranquil breeze all alone.

A peaceful grace quiets each house,

No TV’s, no ringing phones.

 

Kerosene lamps flicker and burn

For a short while till folks are fed.

Short days and early nights,

So soon it’s time for bed.

 

Four days with my friend

To talk, play cards and eat.

How precious the hours of life,

How easy a diet  defeat!

 

Thank You God for the beauty of the autumn countryside.

Thank You for interludes of relaxation.

 

MAY GOD BE WITH EACH OF YOU AND BLESS YOU THIS WEEKEND.

I pray for blessings to be on each of you this weekend.  Please pray for our safe travel and safe return.

 

 

 

Thursday October 20 2016  PREPARATION

 

PREPARATION

Kathleen martens

October 20 2016

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

Do you ever stop to think

That anything worthwhile

Takes so much preparation,

That you sometimes lose your smile?

 

The list could go on forever,

So I’ll cut right to the chase.

When I plan a few days away

The hours seem to race.

 

So much to do at the end.

Last minute packing to do.

And tidbits I need to buy

So I can survive the weekend through.

 

And that’s where I am on this day,

Planning for four days away.

It seems like so much work,

It takes the fun out of play.

 

So I am done, my tea in hand,

Relaxing as I think what to write.

Planning to be in bed by nine

So up at five won’t be a fight.

 

What a dream that would be.

Perhaps it can happen if I try.

So I must close this silly poem

For time is drawing nigh.

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday October 19 2016  WHO ARE YOU?

Have you ever had someone ask you the question “Who are you?” because they were really interested in knowing who you are?  If someone did ask you, how would you respond? 

I met a new employee at my friend’s barber shop when I was there for a haircut yesterday.  Yesterday’s poem was born from that experience.  When we meet people we all do a quick assessment of them, whether we admit it or not, and that first impression is often a lasting impression.  Personalities are all different; some people are reticent, laid back, and in my opinion, sometimes just boring.  Other people seem so full of life that they seem to create a different atmosphere when they enter a room.  It is as if there is energy, a pulse, a love for life that permeates from them.  I would hope I would be the latter rather than the former description.

The new hairdresser I met had that impact on me.  After her client left I asked her, “Tell me who you are”.  Whew! Did I ever get an earful.  She sat in the swivel chair opposite me and thoroughly described her valued points of life, all in one breath; I probably received more information from her within the first 60 seconds of meeting her than I end up knowing from people I’ve been acquainted with for a year.  She was open, honest, and forthright.  I think a lot of people might have been turned off by such a comeback from the simple question of “Who are you”, but it was totally refreshing to me.

Most people have a desire to be known, appreciated, and accepted.  Here is a quick way to find out if the person asking the question really has any intent of knowing who you really are.  She peaked my interest by her quick, concise monologue; and of course I only wanted to know more.  She was refreshing and had laid a foundation between us.  I could accept who she was, or I could walk away.  She had pretty much covered all the bases of any future surprises.  Actually she was quite refreshing.

But, sometimes things are not always as they seem.  Do I really know this person by just this one meeting?  No, I do not.  Does she have hidden pains and fears of which I am unaware?  Probably.  She is more than likely just like the rest of us, doing what must be done, facing the fears that surround us, overcoming difficult situations, worrying about things that probably don’t need to be worried about, and searching for the reason she was placed here on earth.  And yet, on her face was a smile.  She exuded joy when she spoke, and I could feel the pulse of her life as she went about her job and interactions with others, as well as in her kindness toward me, an older lady.  Just meeting this young woman put a smile in my heart.  I hope when people meet me that they walk away with a smile in their heart.

 

WHO ARE YOU?

Kathleen Martens

October 19, 2016

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

Who are you?

Is the question to ask.

Have you discovered

This daunting task?

 

It is not easy

To figure it out.

Some search forever

With anguishing doubt.

 

Who would you describe

Your self to be?

If I asked you?

Would you tell me?

 

Have you discovered

Your inner self

Or do you idly store

Your self on a shelf?

 

*I purposely divided the word “yourself” to “your” “self” in both stanzas.  It makes the meaning different.

 

How very fortunate I am to go to the barber shop I go to.  Both men and women are clients, and it is a full service hair salon.  But the best part is that my hairdresser is also a person that always puts a smile in my heart.  I enjoy having my hair cut because I love the time she spends talking to and with me.  And I just love who she is.  I always leave more refreshed than before I came.  

 

Thank You Father that I know that I am your child!

Thank You Lord for placing in my heart the desire to make others smile.

Thank You for all the wonderful people you bring into my life.

Thank You God for the poetry you place in my heart.

 

GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU!

Tuesday October 18 2016  A GREAT BIG WORLD

 

EACH ONE IS UNIQUE

Kathleen Martens

October 18, 2016

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

The world is so full

Of new people to meet,

So many fresh faces

Available to greet.

 

But not everyone receptive

To speak to a stranger,

Because evil lurks

With so many dangers.

 

But once in a while

Through a mutual friend

The walls are let down

And relationships begin.

 

And from one conversation

Somehow you know

This is a potential friend

Because you are a kindred soul.

 

It is so refreshing

When someone is kind,

And even your quirks

They don’t seem to mind.

 

Perhaps it’s because

They are quirky too,

And their unique qualities

Blend with you.

 

But there is something special

When you hit a mark

With a refreshing new face

That smiles with a spark.

 

And perhaps that one meeting

Is all there will be,

But it was nice to meet someone

Who is as quirky as me!

 

And I really did meet this lady today who was just as nice as my poem portrays.   You see, I may be quirky, but I am really nice too!

 

Monday October 17 2016  DO NOT WORRY ABOUT TOMORROW

It seems as if there are a lot of things to worry about in today’s world, just as I am certain it must have been in all the time periods in which we didn’t live.  Do you know some worriers?  Perhaps you are one yourself? 

The Siri definition of worry from my iPhone is: “ give way to anxiety or unease; allow one’s mind to dwell on difficulty or troubles; cause to feel anxiety or concern; cause annoyance to.  NOUN: a state of anxiety and uncertainty over actual or potential problems.”

The key words in the above definition are actual or potential problems.  The real problem being that there are probably fewer worries that are actual problems and more  worries that are only potential problems, but regardless, whether they are actual or potential, when you worry about either, worry has the same affect on the worrier.  I have known, and still do know a few people who I would describe as chronic worriers.  This scenario reminds me of a story I heard a preacher tell.  The preacher had a friend who was a chronic worrier and his worrying caused havoc on his health and well being.  After not seeing his friend for many months he realized that when they were together he noticed something was different about him.  His friend no longer worried.  The preacher man asked his friend how he overcame his worry problem.  His friend told him that he had hired a “professional worrier”.  This impressed the preacher man as he had never heard of this before but he could see that it had made a great difference in his friend’s demeanor, outlook, and mental health.  His friend went on to elaborate that it was quite expensive though.  He told his friend that it cost him $100,000.  Whew! That was a big sum the preacher man replied.  He said how are you going to pay for it?  His friend replied, “Oh, I just let him worry about it”.

If it were just that simple it would be great!  But to those that I know who are chronic worriers I somehow don’t think it would be as simple as the “joke” above portrayed.  One of those worriers was my mother.  She probably worried most of her life about something but I was only aware of it during the night.  The more she worried, the more she prayed.  I would hear her in the night praying and crying, mostly about her children.  To an eight, nine and ten year old (which I was during that time) it caused that worry to transfer to me.  I believe it was because of that, that as an adult I always had to prepare for the worst “just in case”.  Food was scarce when I was a child and I knew this was a worry to her as well, so as I set up household I always needed to have my cupboards full, even to the point of hoarding.  As I look back I can see how traits are handed down, both genetically and environmentally.  I was not the only one in my family that this was passed on to, but it is only my story I am telling here.  I won’t mention names.  All I know, it was a long term issue with me and it was only resolved in my life when I finally faced the issue head on as the Lord took me on a year long journey to help me become victorious over the seed of worry that had been implanted in me as a child.

It is probably a certainty that on occasions everyone worries about something.  If you have children worry is probably more prevalent than to those who are not parents.  Sometimes I wonder if something is wrong with me because I have so fully given up worrying.  It is an awesome place to be in one’s life.  Am I concerned about certain issues?  Yes, of course I am.  But the difference between worry and concern is that worry will not change the future one iota.  Concern is looking at the aspects of the situation, preparing ahead of time what needs to be done, (like having legal documents such as wills, power of attorney, that sort of thing in place) or just stewing about what could happen in situations of which you have no control.  I don’t encourage people to put their head in the sand and just simply not care about anything, rather, give whatever may be causing the worry into the hands of God.  That is what I learned to do.  There is not much I have control over.  So, rather than worry, I choose to give God praise, show gratitude for all I have, regardless much or little, put my children’s lives in God’s hands, and know that whoever is elected in this presidential election, that God is the one in whom I put my trust.  Regardless who is elected our country is in dire straits.  We could have war, upheaval, market crashes, terrorist attacks, and lose our freedoms if we go to a one world government.  Is there cause to be concerned?  Yes.  Is there cause to worry?  That’s for you to answer.

Ask yourself, will worrying make one bit of difference in the outcome, except to rob you of peace of mind?  When we finally learn to live in the present, knowing God is omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent, and that He is for us, why must we then worry?  If you know where you are headed after your earthly body dies, then there is nothing to worry about.  It is God who is all knowing, is everywhere at once, and who is the deity with unlimited power and able to do anything and I AM GOD’S CHILD.  It was only then that I totally understood and embraced the knowledge that as A CHILD OF GOD, I no longer needed to worry.

If you do not know God in a personal way, rather than worry about what might happen to your eternal soul, give your life to God through the acceptance of His Son’s sacrifice, who loved you so much that he died so your sins would be forgiven.  When you are forgiven and live your life with the Lord dwelling in you, you will no longer need to worry where your eternal soul will live.  I’m not willing to take the chance that I might be wrong about salvation.  If there is no afterlife, I will have lost nothing.  However, if I am right and those who do not believe in God’s eternal salvation are destined to live for an eternity in hell, then I’ll certainly be rejoicing for having made the decision to live for God.  I choose not to worry about it!  I’m quite certain where I am going.  I’ve just experienced too many miracles while here on earth to negate God.  

“Man is choice, man is total choice, when man chooses not to choose, he has chosen.” (I do not know where this quote originates but it is not my original thought).

 

 

TOMORROW WILL WORRY ABOUT ITSELF

Kathleen Martens

October 17, 2016

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

Worry is like a disease

That consumes from the inside out.

Furrowed brows and etched lines

Silent worry shouts.

 

Worry is not a help

To all of life’s woes,

It only consumes precious hours

To those caught in its throws.

 

How you look or who you are

Or what color your skin,

It is not worry that changes things

Rather deep inside change begins.

 

When you have no control

But spend hours of stifling sorrow,

What will happen happens

So don’t borrow from tomorrow.

 

Every day is so precious,

No amount of worry will add life.

Enjoy each moment that God gives you,

Rather than swim in worry’s strife.

 

Whatever your need may be,

Put your faith in God alone.

Turn to Him and lay down your pain,

God can take away worry’s moan.

 

Seek God’s kingdom and righteousness

And God will take care of His own,

He will instill peace and joy

As you worship at His throne.

 

Therefore, no need to worry.

Tomorrow is in God’s hands.

And tomorrow will worry about itself,

While in God’s presence you stand.

 

Thank You God for Your Scripture.

Thank You Lord for Your promise to take care of Your children.

Thank You for supplying all of my needs. 

Thank You Father that I can daily give my cares to You.

 

Matthew 6:25-34 New International Version (NIV)

²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?  ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  ²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

²⁸ “And why do you worry about clothes?  See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.  ²⁹ Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  ³⁰ If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?  ³¹ So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  ³² For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU.

Sunday Sabbath October 16 2016  A FATHER’S INSTRUCTION

 

A FATHER’S INSTRUCTION

Kathleen Martens

October 16, 2016

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

Pay attention and gain understanding

The voice of a father is commanding.

Do not forsake a father’s teaching

So your goals may be far reaching.

 

Listen carefully to what you are told

So it will stay with you when you are old.

Put the words deep into your heart

Cherish and honor them each day to start.

 

Seek wisdom and understanding in all things,

Do not forsake them; protection they bring.

Love wisdom; her protections is yours

For wisdom is supreme and will open doors.

 

Get understanding; though the cost is high.

Esteem understanding; and she will help you fly.

Embrace understanding; she will honor you.

A garland of grace will be her gift too.

 

A crown of splendor will adorn your head

When understanding is in good stead.

And when you listen as a father speaks,

Longer years made available the Lord to seek.

 

Because of good decisions your path will be straight,

And the Lord will help you seek your fate.

Hold on to instruction and do not let it go,

Guard it well to protect your soul.

 

Understanding is important, for it is your life,

And will teach you how to avoid strife.

It will also keep you from the wicked path.

Shun evil men and you shun God’s wrath.

 

The first glean of dawn shines on the righteous man,

But a man of evil, in darkness stands.

So pay attention to your father’s word,

And keep them in your heart, forever heard.

 

AND GUARD YOUR HEART ABOVE ALL ELSE THAT YOU DO,

For it is the wellspring of life and it will carry you through.

Put away perversity and speak it not.

It is your father’s teachings that are to be sought.

 

Remember well what your father has spoken

That your life will not veer or become broken.

Do not let his words out of your sight,

For those who have listened, turn toward the light.

 

“PROVERBS 4 (New International Version)

 

THE ABOVE POEM IS INSPIRED, INFLUENCED BY, AND QUOTED IN PART FROM PROVERBS, CHAPTER 4.

GOD BLESS EACH OF YOU ON THIS BEAUTIFUL SABBATH SUNDAY